Cowboys to play Dolphins in Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 4

The Cowboys will face Miami in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 4, the NFL announced Tuesday at the owners meetings in Phoenix.

The news benefits the Cowboys, who will now have five preseason games, in that it gives the defense extra time to become familiar with new coordinator Monte Kiffin’s 4-3 scheme.

Playing in Canton will also give the team and fans a chance to honor former Cowboys offensive lineman Larry Allen, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with former Cowboys coach Bill Parcells. The Cowboys have played in the Hall of Fame Game four times, with their last appearance coming in 2010, when they beat Cincinnati 16-7.

On the downside, it means more travel for the club during camp, which likely will start around July 21 in Oxnard, Calif., because teams participating in the Hall of Fame Game can start camp at least 15 days before the first preseason game.

The Cowboys likely will return to Oxnard after the Hall of Fame Game for another week of camp before playing a road preseason game in the West against either Arizona, Oakland, San Diego or Seattle. After that game, the Cowboys likely will break camp and return to Dallas to play their remaining preseason games.